Download The Status of Geography Education in Tennessee

Cumberland URISA Has a Horse in this Race: The Status of Geography Education in Tennessee
Kurt Butefish
Tennessee Geographic Alliance
304 Burchfiel Geography Bldg.
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996‐0925
(865) 974‐4841
[email protected]
In the past year, the geography
curriculum in Tennessee was gutted
when it was rolled into hybrid History &
Geography courses.
The negative impacts resulting from the
adoption of those hybrid History &
Geography courses are:
Geography will now be taught subservient
to history instruction in courses called,
“U.S. History & Geography” and “World
History and Geography”.
A subject whose structure should be based
on themes and topics will now be meagerly
intertwined with history content and taught
in a chronological progression.
6th Grade – World History and Geography: Early Civilizations Through the Decline of the Roman Empire
7th Grade – World History and Geography: The Middle Ages to the
Exploration of the Americas
8th Grade – World History and Geography: Colonization of North
America to Reconstruction and the American West
9th Grade – U.S. History and Geography: Post‐Reconstruction to the Present
10th Grade – World History and Geography: The Industrial Revolution to the Contemporary World
The former stand‐alone Social Studies course
taught in 7th grade that focused on World
Geography was eliminated. Similar content
will now be taught in 3rd grade. This will
result in less qualified/experienced teachers
teaching a course that provides the
foundation for understanding of geography,
world history and world civilizations.
Currently, K‐6 certification requires that
elementary teachers have taken only one,
three‐hour college course in Geography.
World Geography and Cultures Course Description: Third grade students will learn about the major
components of world geography and world cultures. Students will develop skills
across the six essential elements of geography: world in spatial terms, places
and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society, and
the uses of geography. Students will analyze the impact of physical and human
geography on cultures in times past and present. They will explore the
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services on a local and
global scale. Students will examine our connections to the past and the ways in
which local, regional, and national governments and traditions have developed
and left their marks on current societies. They will recognize the contributions
of famous individuals from various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic
groups to the development of civilizations around the world. Students will
understand the role of rules and laws in our daily lives and the basic structure
of the United States government, with opportunities to compare different
government systems. They will evaluate evidence to develop comparative and
causal analyses in order to interpret primary sources and informational text.
Third grade students will construct sound historical arguments and perspectives
on which informed decisions can be based.
3.5 Explain the difference between relative and absolute location.
3.7 Explain how specific images contribute to and clarify
geographical information (diagrams, landforms, satellite photos,
GPS system, maps, and charts).
3.13 Summarize how people interact with their environment to
satisfy basic needs and how geographic challenges are resolved,
including housing, industry, transportation, communication,
bridges, dams, tunnels, canals, freshwater supply, irrigation
systems, and landfills.
3.39 Describe the diverse but unified nature of people within a
continent or region, identifying the distinct contribution made by
their culture including language, clothing, food, art, beliefs,
customs, and music.
•
The new course sequencing and standards
have eliminated the option of either World
Geography or World History to satisfy the
graduation requirements.
• Teachers that are currently certified to teach
Geography and/or History in high school will be
able to teach the World History & Geography,
and the United States History & Geography
courses, even if they are not adequately
prepared. A teacher who has never taken a
college level geography course can teach one of
the new hybrid courses.
What can the Cumberland Chapter of URISA do?
Be vigilant
Work with the Kentucky and Tennessee Geographic Alliances (We have resources and experience with advocacy!)
Have a mechanism in place to act swiftly and cohesively
What can you do as an individual ?
Call, write, and/or email your elected officials
Visit them in your home district or in Frankfort / Nashville
Volunteer at your child’s school
Contacts
Kurt Butefish
Coordinator
304 Burchfiel Geography Bldg.
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996‐0925
(865) 974‐4841
[email protected]
http://web.utk.edu/~tga/